Member Article

Teesside firm named ‘best in Britain’ after only four years in business

A TEESSIDE property investment firm is officially one of the best in Britain after winning a major national award. Horizon Sales and Lettings was only launched four years ago. However, the property management firm beat some of the sector’s biggest names to be crowned ‘Best Property Investment Provider’ at the National Landlord Investment Show Awards in London. It is the latest milestone for the Middlesbrough-based firm, which has swollen in size during a record-breaking 12 months. “It has been an incredible journey so far, and this award caps that off perfectly,” said Martin McManus, one of the firm’s three founders and current directors. “When we started back in 2019, it was just three friends with a small portfolio. Fast forward to 2023 and we are competing with - and beating – some of the biggest names in our industry.” Now boasting a portfolio of almost 500 properties, the firm was launched after Martin joined forces with fellow property developers Denis Shail and Christopher Bunn to create a business that was both an estate agent and a property management service. Huge demand for the firm’s services resulted in it outgrowing the original Newport Road base, moving into a new site in Gilkes Street amid a flurry of new hires. And there are further expansion plans afoot with the search on for a new financial director to help take the firm to the next level. “That’s going to be a key appointment, and one that will help to structure the business especially on the back of the award win,” added Denis. “Hopefully that success is going to lead to a fresh wave of new business, so we are really keen to find the right person as soon as possible and to capitalise on the momentum of this win.” And there’s plenty of business out there. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many landlords are retiring due to soaring maintenance costs and utility bills, so are looking to offload their property. Meanwhile, the firm has also been successful in attracting property owners from outside of the region keen to tap into the North East’s affordable property market. However, much of their success has come down to Horizons’ commitment to partnership work, and the firm’s unique model which makes it a ‘one stop shop’ for property investors, by offering all the key services – from sourcing and managing properties, carrying out refurbishments and arranging inp-house finance – under one roof. That pioneering approach has led to increased collaboration with other estate agents, who now frequently approach the firm with hard-to-shift properties in order to utilise Horizons’ active and pre-qualified client base. “To get to the point where estate agents are proactively seeking us out for help in the space of just four years is a remarkable achievement, and along with this award, encapsulates just how well the business is doing,” added Christopher. “Everyone at the team is rightfully very proud of what we have achieved so far – and they are all really excited about where the business is going.”

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